By MARK REY MONTEJO
Louie Ramirez has come a long way in many aspects since he first made ripples in the Palarong Pambansa as stalwart of Pangasinan up to his stint with University of Perpetual Help DALTA in the NCAA.
His NCAA stint was not only colorful – it was also spectacular.
He has won numerous individual awards apart from leading the Altas Spikers to a myriad of championships as they lived up to their status.
The 24-year-old outside hitter waxed nostalgic as he said goodbye to the school that not only helped nurture his offensive skills but also in life.
For that, the proud son of Dasol, Pangasinan said he is forever grateful to UPH as it gave him the opportunity to elevate his skills and also provide his needs since the very beginning of his NCAA stint.
“Unang-una, sobrang laking pasasalamat ko sa Perpetual kasi simula pumunta ko ng Perpetual, simula nung umalis ako sa amin, is, pino-provide nila lahat ng pangangailangan ko as a student-athlete,” said Ramirez before receiving the first-ever NCAA Men’s Volleyball Player of the Year plum in the Collegiate Press Corps’ (CPC) Annual Awards Night presented by San Miguel Corporation Monday, June 17 at the Discovery Suites Manila in Ortigas, Pasig.
“Sa school kasi libre naman lahat. So, um, kumbaga yung pansariling kagustuhan ko na lang kung anuman yung kailangan ko, pero yun nga, all throughout, nakasuporta sila,” he added.
Looking back, Ramirez didn’t expect to reach this far, as he mentioned that he had limited time to play for his province and started playing volleyball late – he was already in Grade 11.
But that didn’t stop Ramirez from reaching the stars and realizing his dreams.
He was also thankful for guidance and patience of veteran coach Sammy Acaylar.
It was Acaylar who noticed the former has the guts and the potential to become a star player.
Despite facing a bunch of offers from other schools, Ramirez stressed that one of the factors he opted to suit up for the Altas was because of Acaylar who went up to him personally to ask for his service.
“Siguro, unang-una yung nag-recruit is si Coach Sammy (Acaylar) mismo. Siya mismo yung lumapit sa akin,” Ramirez said.
“Unlike sa other school na parang may recruiter sila na lumalapit. Hindi yung mismong head coach or kung sino man yung lumalapit. Yan. Siguro doon na ako na-entertain ng pumunta sya sa akin,” he added.
That’s where it all started and it continued Perpetual winning culture.
The Altas recently notched their fourth consecutive and 14th overall championship in the grand old league while Ramirez bagged his second straight season MVP award and 3rd NCAA title – a fitting end to his stellar collegiate years for the Las Piñas-based squad.
Ramirez also had a brief message for the upcoming Perpetual spikers, hoping they’ll continue what their seniors started in the previous years.
“Tsaka ‘yon lang siguro, ipagpatuloy nila yung legacy na naumpisahan ng mga seniors na pinagpatuloy namin hanggang sa ipagpatuloy din nila. So yun, sumunod lang sila palagi sa kaya kaot sa amin,” Ramirez concluded.
Up for the next chapter in his life, Ramirez is ready to set his foot on professional leagues.
“Financial man or kahit ano man lahat binigay ‘yon ni Perpetual at tyaka sila ‘yong nag-guide sa akin para mapabuti kung anumang buhay meron ako tyaka kung anong career man meron ako ngayon,” he concluded.
